Product selection expert system

Abstract

The invention includes a system for product selection, the system including: a CPU; a memory operatively connected to the CPU, the memory containing a program adapted to be executed by the CPU and the CPU and memory cooperatively adapted for presenting a user interface and expert interface to an expert system for product selection; a expert-interface code segment embodied on a computer-readable medium configured and adapted for: creating and modifying via a graphical user interface a graphically-displayed tree structure representing a plurality of product applications; associating and modifying via a graphical user interface one or more use condition with each node of the tree structure; and associating and modifying via a graphical user interface one or more suitability ratings for a plurality of applications; creating and modifying via a graphical user interface a list of products associating and modifying via a graphical user interface one or more product with each leaf node of the tree structure; associating via a graphical user interface use condition choices with each product associating via a graphical user interface suitability ratings for each product a user-interface code segment embodied on a computer-readable medium configured and adapted for selecting via a graphical-use interface a path in the tree structure, and for displaying on the same window of the graphical-use interface: the products associated with the leaf node of the selected path; the use conditions associated with each node of the selected path; and the product usability suitability indicators associated with each node of the selected path; selecting via the same window of the graphical-use interface one or more of the use conditions associated with the nodes of the selected path and for entering the user-defined relative importance of the product usability suitability indicators for the intended application of the products associated with the leaf nodes of the selected path; comparing the selected use conditions with the displayed products, where products not having such selected use conditions as attributes are filtered out of the displayed list of products; comparing the entered relative importance of the product usability suitability indicators with the product usability suitability indicators associated with the displayed products, associating a score with each displayed product indicating the correlation of the comparison, and displaying the score with the product; and printing the resulting product list, corresponding suitability scores, selected tree path, selected use conditions, and entered relative importance of product usability suitability indicators.

Description

COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND AUTHORIZATION[0001]This patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection.[0002]©Copyright 2004. Chevron U.S.A. Inc. All rights reserved.[0003]With respect to this material which is subject to copyright protection. The owner, Chevron U.S.A. Inc., has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records of any country, but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever.I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0004]The invention relates to computer-implemented process and system for a expert system for product selection.II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]In the past, customer selection among commercial products with an expert system has been a very difficult procedure requiring a lot of time and user expertise. For example, most product manufactures simply provide many tables of different products. The customer must hunt among these tables to find a product(s)...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a web-based expert system for product selection that allows experts to quickly input their knowledge and customers to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. The system includes a graphical user interface that guides customers through a selection process, a program that allows users to modify the system, and a database for keeping track of product information. The system also includes a method for selecting a path in a tree structure and displaying the products associated with each node, as well as the use conditions and product usability suitability indicators associated with each node. The system can also filter out products that do not meet the user's requirements. The technical effects of the invention include improved product selection and usability for customers and experts alike."

Problems solved by technology

In the past, customer selection among commercial products with an expert system has been a very difficult procedure requiring a lot of time and user expertise.

Detailed information about the product to allow the customer to make his choice is not readily available.

Also, the many factors that go into such a selection make the decision so complex that expert help is often required.

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